Coconut Rough
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Headquarters | New Zealand |
Key people | Andrew Snoid, Mark Bell, Dennis "Choc" Te Whare, Stuart Pearce, Paul Hewitt, Bones Hillman |
| Products | Music recordings (pop, new wave) |
Coconut Rough was a New Zealand pop and new wave ensemble that had a brief existence, originating in 1982.
Their inaugural single, "Sierra Leone," released in 1983, climbed into the top five on New Zealand’s music charts. The group earned the accolade of Most Promising Group of the Year at the 1983 RIANZ Awards before dissolving in 1984.
History
The band was established by lead vocalist Andrew Snoid, who had previously been part of the Whizz Kids, Pop Mechanix, and the Swingers, alongside guitarist Mark Bell, who eventually returned to a revived Pop Mechanix. Other contributors included bassist Dennis "Choc" Te Whare, keyboard player Stuart Pearce, drummer Paul Hewitt, and subsequently bassist Bones Hillman. The moniker "Coconut Rough" was derived from a well-liked confectionery in Australia and New Zealand.
Their most notable hit was "Sierra Leone," which reached number five in 1983. This song attracted attention partly due to one of New Zealand’s pioneering music videos that incorporated special effects. In 2001, APRA members voted "Sierra Leone" as the 94th greatest New Zealand song.
In 1984, Coconut Rough served as the opening act for The Police during their concert at Western Springs, but the band ceased activity later that year.
Albums
| Title | Extended play details | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| NZ | ||
| Whistle While You Work (with The Narcs) |
|
17 |
| Coconut Rough |
|
— |
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart rankings | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | AUS | |||
| "Sierra Leone" | 1983 | 5 | 99 | Coconut Rough |
| "As Good As It Gets" | 28 | — | ||
| "Magic Hour" | 1984 | — | — | |
| "Leisure Time" | — | — | ||
Awards
| Awarding Body | Year | Category | Nomination Details | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIANZ | 1983 | Single of the Year | "Sierra Leone" | Template:Nom |
| Most Promising Group | Template:Won | |||
| Best Music Video | Greg Rood – "Sierra Leone" | Template:Nom |
External links
- [ The AMG profile for Coconut Rough]
- Coconut Rough at thebigcity.co.nz
- Sierra Leone music video, courtesy NZ On Screen